Page 49 of Moonshot

Covering my mouth with my hand in an attempt to stifle the gasp, I’m utterly shocked that any woman could treat him this way. Despite what he’d done to me, my heart aches for him.Or at least the man I thought he was.

“So, when he came to your office, and you were with your boss…” She stops speaking and looks at me inquisitively.

“When I was with my boss, what?” I ask slowly and deliberately. What did she mean?

“You know… getting it on with your boss-”

“What?” I blurt out, jumping from my seat on the hard wooden bench before I can control my reaction. “I’d never do anything like that with him. Like, ever! If he was the last man on the planet. That guy’s a sleaze.” I must look like I’ve been stung by a hornet. My whole face feels hot, and I’m sure it’s bright red.

“I knew it! I knew there had to be a mistake,” Emmaleigh says, clapping her hands together.

“What do you mean?” I prod, still trying to calm myself after such a ludicrous accusation. “What on earth would make him think something like that?”

“He told my mom he came to your office and the lights were off, and you two were together.”

I sit back down momentarily, wracking my brain, trying to recall what events could’ve transpired to make him think for a second that I would’ve… “Oh. My. God. The day of the dinner.” I look to Emmaleigh, who’s watching me with bated breath.

“I suffer from terrible migraines, Emmaleigh. I’ve had them since I was your age, actually. My overbearing boss’s behavior doesn’t help. The added stress and all. Anyway, I had a brutal one that day. I often take an Excedrin or a nondrowsy prescription, turn the lights off, and lay my head down during my lunch break to get through the rest of the day when they get bad. That day, I recall expecting your brother to arrive. When I felt someone massaging my shoulders, I assumed it was him. Until I heard my horrid boss’s voice in my ear.” Jumping back up, I feel the need to pace as I shake my head at the memory of that discovery. “I almost ripped his arm off and beat him with it.”

Emmaleigh watches me silently, allowing me to get it all out. Plopping back down on the seat, I drop my head into my hands. “I remember wondering what happened to Michael that day. I’d hoped seeing him would make the whole situation a little more bearable. But then he didn’t show, and I never heard from him again.” Voicing this recollection aloud causes a large knot to form in my throat.I will not cry in front of his sister.

“That has to be it,” Emmaleigh agrees. “I’m sure all of this is a terrible misunderstanding.”

“I thought I’d told Michael about my migraines, but thinking back… I’m not sure it ever came up.” These debilitating headaches have become such a predictable part of my life, I guess I just assume everyone knows. But I don’t typically share this with men I’m seeing right away, for fear of being cast aside like my mother.

Feeling Emmaleigh’s soft hand on my forearm, her gentle voice carefully interrupts my thoughts. “Ava. I know what he did was wrong. Mick should’ve talked to you. But he was so hurt by Paula he assumed you were doing the same. Plus, he’s a boy. They’re stupid.”

A small chuckle escapes. It feels good to laugh about something for a change. And she’s so right.They are stupid.

“Could you please forgive him and give him another chance?”

“Oh, Emmaleigh. I’d give anything to have Michael back. I think the world of your brother. But what makes you think he’d want another chance with me?”

“Ava. He said you were the one.” Again with the air quotes. “I never thought after everything Paula did, he’d ever let anyone in again. He’s never brought anyone home since her. Plus…”

“Plus, what,” I ask hopefully.

“From what Mom tells me, he never said Paula was the one. Only you.”

I feel my eyes fill with tears. It’s getting harder to contain these emotions. This poor tortured soul. How both of us have hurt because of what he thought he saw.Stupid boy.Turning away, I again stand to my full height. Blinking rapidly with my back to her, I try to regain my composure and push on.

“I want this to work. I do. But Michael needs to understand that if there’s a chance to turn this situation around, I’ll never allow him to behave like this again. Hurt or not, his behavior is unacceptable.” I pace a minute before turning to her.

I watch as this staunch advocator for her brother tilts her head down in a short nod of understanding.

“Emmaleigh, even if I thought this was a good idea, considering trying a relationship with a grown man who wouldn’t have a conversation with me before walking away, what do I do? He’s blocked my number. He won’t talk to me.”

“Well, I’m glad you asked. I think I have a plan.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

Mick

Tossing back another beer while sitting in this overcrowded bar, I’m already regretting my decision to come here. My usual hotel was sold out tonight, so I had to move to Christiansburg, Virginia. This is a big college town. Home to Virginia Tech and their award-winning Hokie football team. Now that summer’s here, I’d expected the bar wouldn’t be crowded. But I’ve been proven wrong.

“Hey, you want another?” The bartender nods toward my empty glass.

“Sure, why not?” Hell. I can walk to the hotel, and I’ve got nowhere to be until tomorrow. I’m not usually one for tying one on alone, but maybe if I can’t score tonight, the bed won’t seem so cold and empty if I’m seeing double when I get back.

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